Kassim was cultist, not victim – Kogi Police

The Kogi State Police Command has declared late Muhammad Kassim and six other individuals as members of a cult and arms-running syndicate, refuting claims that Kassim was killed unjustly or for political reasons.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye-Aya, stated this in a release on Wednesday while responding to allegations by Mr. Isaiah Ijele, the Publicity Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), who had described Kassim as a “Regional Youth Leader” and alleged that his death was politically motivated.

Ijele, in his statement, demanded a “thorough and transparent investigation,” asserting that the killing was “heinous” and suspicious.

However, the police maintained that Kassim, also known as “Enemi of Idah,” was a wanted suspect involved in an arms trafficking syndicate that operated within and beyond Kogi State. His name reportedly surfaced during an investigation initiated by a legal intercept from the National Security Adviser’s (NSA) office.

According to Ovye-Aya, the Department of State Services (DSS) had arrested one Mohammed Amedu on June 22 in connection with the syndicate, and the case was handed over to the Kogi police on June 28 for further investigation.

“Kassim was identified as one of the suspects. Investigations revealed he purchased 20 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition to test an AK-47 rifle in his possession,” the statement read.

Following failed attempts to invite him for questioning, police operatives were dispatched to Idah on July 7. Kassim reportedly escaped by jumping over his compound fence when he sighted the police team.

Days later, he was spotted again. According to the police, when officers attempted to arrest him, he resisted and attempted to disarm a policeman, leading to a struggle during which a shot was accidentally fired, hitting him in the leg.

The statement said Kassim’s alleged gang members whisked him away to an undisclosed location where he later died.

SP Ovye-Aya emphasized that investigation is ongoing, and the arrested suspects will be charged to court upon completion of the probe.